The kitchen is the heart of the home, as most families gather in the kitchen to eat and talk about the day's happenings. When you entertain guests, you will most likely spend time in the kitchen talking as you cook or do the dishes. Make sure your kitchen is warm and inviting by giving it a cheerful makeover. Follow these simple steps to make the kitchen a fun place for the entire family to enjoy.
First, make sure you are taking advantage of natural sunlight. Nothing is worse than a dark, dreary kitchen. Washing the dishes won't be a chore if you open the curtains and watch the children play outside. Make sure you choose curtains that won't block natural light from entering your kitchen. Choose a brightly colored valance or sheer panels that can be pulled open to let the light come in.
Next, add a comfortable rug. You may think a rug in the kitchen is a bad idea. After all, won't it get stained and dirty from all the spills and grease splatters? You can add an element of softness to your room if you choose the right rug. Look for a rug that is scotch guarded to protect against stains. You could also consider using an outdoor rug that is meant to get wet and dirty. Braided rugs are another great option for the kitchen. Make sure you bring a comfortable rug into the room so your feet won't ache as you spend hours cooking that thanksgiving dinner for the whole family.
You should also add some shelves in your kitchen to display trinkets and collectibles. Consider starting a collection of beautiful antique teacups or tea pots. You can find these in a variety of colors and designs and they make great conversation starters when guests come over. You could also hang beautiful plates on the wall. Look for unusual plates in bright colors or interesting shapes.
Paint your walls a bright, cheerful color such as buttercup yellow or lavender. Soft colors will make your kitchen appear bigger and reflect natural light to make the room appear bright and inviting. When you repaint the walls, you could also consider giving your cabinets a makeover. If you can't afford to replace your cabinets, a fresh coat of paint can make them look like new. White cabinets are a great choice to match any wall color or appliances.
You can also create a cheerful kitchen with the help of family photos. Whether you display large portraits on the wall or small photos on the refrigerator, nothing makes a kitchen feel more warm and inviting than the addition of treasured family photos. Find some beautiful frames that compliment you color scheme and display your cherished family photos for everyone to see. Place the frames on countertops, shelves, or in window sills to add a touch of sentiment in each corner of your kitchen. Photos make your kitchen warm and welcoming.
Finally, make sure your kitchen is clean and cleared of clutter. Clean surfaces make a kitchen appear bright and cheerful, while a dirty kitchen makes people uncomfortable. If you want to have a kitchen that your family and guests can enjoy, decorate with bright colors, soft rugs, and beautiful accessories.
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